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Date:         Tue, 15 Sep 1998 20:37:17 -0600
Reply-To:     BILL <billv2@PRODIGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         BILL <billv2@PRODIGY.NET>
Subject:      Re: WHY OXS AND BATTERY LIGHT...
Comments: To: "Small,
          Eric (Y2K).SDWARREN/SOPORTLAND/EricS at M ERICS - SDWCMAIL"
          <USSDWUFW@IBMMAIL.COM>, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Mine alternator has been doing this for a year now in my 85. I'm still waiting for it to go. Maybe next year? I have NO intention of replacing it till it dies.

Bill '85 GL [*Magic*Bus*] '82 Westy [FreeBird] ...Cause I'm as free as a bird now... Big Sky Country ---Ronnie Van Zant

>>>>Roy Mellor <roym@ARISTOTLE.NET>wrote > >I have noticed recently that my OXS and Battery dash lights both stay on >until 2000 rpm is reached in my '85 Westy. Then they both turn off and >stay off even at lower rpm until the next time I start back up. > >It didn't use to do this. Is this a sign of impending doom? I did >tighten the alternaor belt which was a bit loose, but it didn't change >things. What esle should I check or is this not a problem? ><<< > >My understanding is that your alternator has a weak diode. The unit >should continue to perform but you will need to "blip" the throttle on >start up to bring the alt on-line. My original alt began doing the same >thing years before it failed. Since then I have had 2 alternators which >did it from day 1. I was told that this is a common problem for VWs. > >One important note: It is more than just an annoyance... I have always >been in the habit of reaching in and starting the car when it is cold or >snowy out and waiting until the car warms or scraping the windows before >getting in. I must now rev the van once. One day while at Walmart, my >wife when out to the car while I waited in the checkout. She started the >car from the passenger side and turned on the AC... the van ran for about >20 minutes until the battery was drained and stalled... I had to call AAA >for a jump start. > >Lesson: When the OXS and BAT lights are on your alternator is not >providing juice. > >If I am wrong in my diagnosis or if anyone knows of a cure for this >please post. > >Eric Small >Portland, ME > >86 GL


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